FUGAZI

Quite an improvement from their debut for sure. For me, it seems that the band members seem to be more confortable in their roles, specially Steve Rothery, who seems to have found his touch for speedy and energetic guitar solos.

Probably you could argue that this record doesn't have anything special from the previous one, but I think it has quite an important thing: energy. Not only in guitars, like I just mentioned, but also in synths, for example. Even Fish seems to have improved his lyrical sensibilties, something that one could have thought it was not possibly (although I continue to dislike his vocals, but again that's just me ;) ).

The opening track, "Assasing", is one of the most obvious examples of this energetic atmosphere we can find (I like this song quite a lot) and also the Neo-progressive mixture of cheerful guitars and hyper synths is pretty present here. "Punch & Judy" begins with a quite typical 80s opening (which, on the contrary to some people, I like a lot) and continues with the disordered trademark Fish vocals. "Jigsaw", a ballad, is probably an attempt (a successful one, by the way) to improve what could listen in "Chelsea Monday". "Emerald Lies" starts with another characteristic synth opening, followed with another Rothery's solos and continues with Fish vocals in melancholic mode, like in the previous song. "She Chamaleon" is Fugazi's "Chelsea Monday", to the extent that they seem to be sisters (although this one is slightly better). Again a melancholic use of organ here. "Incubus" is an evocative song that keeps an smooth rhythm, and curiosly Fish songs in a quite disciplined way for what is usual in him. A quite enjoyable song. And the best for the end. "Fugazi", the title track, is, like some previous reviewers said, the strongest track of the album, like probably "Script for a Jester's Tear" was for the previous one. Another set of speedy guitar solos and synths loops complete an excellent song.

So, Marillion proves here that they seemed to have found the right way in their creative duties. This record is highly recommended indeed.